In the Weeds
Recently, I was talking with a friend as she shared what felt like the tangled mess of her life. She spoke of work deadlines, family responsibilities and health concerns. The constant hum of pressure. As she talked, her words came quickly, layered on top of one another like vines growing in every direction. “I know I should be practicing self-care,” she said with a weary smile. “But I don’t even know where to begin.”
And there it was. That feeling of being in the weeds. You can’t see the path. You can’t see the horizon. You can barely see yourself.
If you’ve ever planted a garden, you know how quickly weeds take over when left unattended. They don’t ask permission. They don’t send a warning. They just quietly creep in until suddenly you’re knee-deep and wondering how it happened. Life can feel that way too.
One of the hardest things about being in the weeds is that it rarely announces itself. It feels like, just a busy season or just a tough week. Until weeks turn into months, and you realize you haven’t taken a real breath in far too long.
When we’re overwhelmed, self-care feels indulgent. Slowing down feels impossible. And asking for help can feel like one more thing on the list. But here’s what I gently reminded my friend and what I want to remind you, we’ve all been there and we will likely be there again.
The goal isn’t to avoid the weeds forever. The goal is to recognize them sooner… and have a simple plan to begin clearing a path.
The first step to getting out of the weeds is awareness. Pause long enough to say, “I think I’m overwhelmed.” Or, “This isn’t sustainable.” Or simply, “I need a reset.” Naming it removes some of its power. It shifts you from reactive to reflective.
When everything feels urgent, nothing feels manageable. Instead of trying to fix your whole life, choose one small area to tend to: one habit, one conversation, or one boundary. Ask yourself, what is one thing I can do today that would create even 5% more ease? Not perfection. Not overhaul. Just 5%. Momentum builds from there.
Having a plan in place, even a tiny one, can shorten your time in the weeds.
Choose something that becomes your reset button:
A 10-minute walk outside.
Five slow breaths before bed.
Calling the one friend who grounds you.
Journaling a single page each morning.
These aren’t grand gestures. They’re anchors. When life starts to tangle, you return to your anchor. Sometimes the weeds thin out simply by saying out loud, “I’m struggling.”
Connection is powerful. Perspective shifts when shared. Often what feels like failure is simply fatigue. Surround yourself with people who remind you who you are when you forget.
Getting out of the weeds doesn’t require a dramatic life change. It requires awareness, compassion, and one brave step toward clarity. There is no shame in finding yourself overwhelmed. It means you care. It means you’ve been carrying a lot.
And here’s the beautiful part, weeds don’t define the garden. They’re temporary. With patience and tending, the path reappears.
So if you’re feeling tangled right now, pause. Breathe. Name it. Take one small step. You don’t have to clear the whole field today. Just start where your feet are. Because even when life feels overgrown, there is still space for light to break through. And you are never too far in the weeds to find your way back.
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